Method and composition for stimulating plant growth

ABSTRACT

A method is described for stimulation of plant growth employing lower aliphatic alcohols of from one to six carbon atoms as the growth stimulating agent. The alcohol may also be used in an aqueous solution. Growth stimulation is also produced by employing an aqueous alcoholic solution in which soil, in which plants have grown, or plants have been placed and removed when the lower aliphatic alcohol is no longer present.

United States Patent [72] Inventor George T. Miller Lewiston, N.Y.

[2i 1 Appl. No. 863,687

[22] Filed Oct. 3, 1969 [45] Patented Dec. 28, 1971 [73] Assignee Hooker Chemical Corporation Niagara Falls, N.Y.

Continuation-impart 01 application Ser. No. 603,700, Dec. 1, 1966, now Patent No. 3,472,647, dated Oct. 14, 1969. This application Oct. 3, 1969, Ser. No. 863,687 The portion of the term of the patent subsequent to Oct. 14, 1986, has been dlsclaimed.

[54] METHOD AND COMPOSITION FOR STIMULATING PLANT GROWTH 8 Claims, No Drawings [52] US. (I 71/122, 47/ l .2

{51] Int. Cl A0ln 9/24 [50] Field oiSearch 71/122 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,472,647 10/1969 Miller 71/122 Primary Examiner-James 0. Thomas, Jr. Attorneys- Peter F. Casella, Donald C. Studley, Richard P.

Mueller, James F. Mudd and William J. Schramm METHOD AND COMPOSITION FOR STIMULATING PLANT GROWTH CROSS-REFERENCES This application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 603,700, filed Dec. 1, 1966, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,472,647, issued Oct. 14, 1969.

' BACKGROUND The treatment of seedlings with alcohols has been described in the literature. However, the prior art is silent with respect to utilization of lower aliphatic alcohols for the treatment of plant environments, in order to stimulate plant growth, in particular stimulation of the amount of fruit produced from a plant. Surprisingly several prior art references teach the utilization of alcohols and other closely related compounds for inhibiting plant growth. Even when alcohols are used to treat seedlings some of the results were inconsistant and varied, thus no conclusion could be derived.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION In accordance with the present invention there is provided a method for increasing the amount of fruit produced from plants which comprises applying to the plant environment a fruit increasing amount of lower aliphatic alcohol, having from one to six carbon atoms. Another aspect of the invention is preparing aqueous solutions of said alcohols, inserting or placing soil in which plants have grown or plants into said aqueous solution removing the plants when the alcohol is no longer detectable, and using the resulting solution for application to the plant environment. A further aspect of the invention is the product resulting from the preparation of the solution.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present application is concerned with several alternative methods of stimulating fruit production or plant growth by applying to the plant environment a fruit increasing amount of a lower aliphatic alcohol having from one to six carbon atoms. By employing the word fruit" is meant the product of plant growth, the usable or eatable productive body of a plant seed. By the use of the term plant environment" is meant the environment or surroundings in which the plant is placed such as water in a hydroponic system. Plant environment also includes soil. Growth stimulation means increasing the size and number of root stems and branches of the treated plants.

Another aspect of the invention deals with a method of preparing a growth stimulating solution comprising,

a. mixing a lower aliphatic alcohol of one to six carbon atoms in water;

b. placing soil in which plants have grown or plants in said aqueous solution; and

c. removing said plants or soil as early as I hour after inser tion. The solution is used when the alcohol is no longer detectable.

An additional optional step includes aerating the solution while the plant or soil is inoculating the solution.

The solution resulting from the above process can be us to stimulate plant growth as well as increase the amount of fruit produced from plants. An easy method to determine the presence of alcohol in an aqueous solution is by means of gas chromatography. A general rule of thumb is when the milky" appearance of the solution disappears and it becomes clear.

Among the lower aliphatic alcohols that may be employed are methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, pentanol, hexanol and mixtures thereof, preferably methanol and ethanol; ethanol is most preferred.

When the solutions of the present invention are employed in soil environments, best results are obtained when the soil is of a poor type. Maximum benefit is evident when soil has been poorly managed so that there is a deficiency in plant growth. This is particularly evident in low humus content soils, usually but not necessarily coincident with a deficiency of nutrient values. The effect is present but less pronounced in well cultivated, well maintained soils. The soil may be treated with the lower aliphatic alcohol prior to the planting of the plant (pretreatment,) after emergence of the plant (posttreatme'nt), or it may be treated concurrently with planting. In pretreatment, the alcohol is applied to the soil from about l to about 4 weeks and preferably about 2 weeks before planting is accomplished, while in posttreatment, the alcohol is applied to the soil after the plant has been growing for about I to about 4 weeks and preferably about 2 weeks.

Normally the amount of alcohol to be used will vary depending upon the types of plants being subjected to treatment, the time of treatment and other conditions. In soil environments from about 50 to about 600 pounds per acre of alcohol, preferably from about to about 300 pounds per acre of alcohol has been found to be effective. Without departing from the scope of the invention, up to about 4,800 pounds per acre and less than 50 pounds per acre may be effective with certain plants.

In hydroponic system for about 0.01 percent to about 5 weight percent of alcohol and preferably from about 0.1 weight percent to about I weight percent of alcohol is used.

Treatment of the plant environment after multiple planting results in increased growth to the plant that remains. With respect to a second planting, from about 0.2 weight percent to about 10 weight percent of alcohol is used in hydroponic systems, while from about 100 pounds to about 800 pounds per acre of alcohol are used in soil environments. Regarding third and subsequent plantings, greater than about 0.5 weight percent to less than about 20 weight percent of alcohol are used in hydroponic systems while in soil environments from about pounds to 4,800 pounds per acre of alcohol are used.

Plant environments treated in accordance with the present invention produce plants having better overall growth due to larger root systems, that is, more roots, which are not only thicker but longer in comparison to the roots of plants which have not acquired the beneficial effects of the alcohol. Also, an increase in the number of blossoms, and an increase in the number of fruit produced results in comparisonto untreated plants thereby allowing for more economic production of fruit. Illustrative examples of the plants that may be employed, when the plant environment is treated in accordance with the present invention include among others tomato, cucumbers, legumes, such as string beans, soybeans, etc., beet, radish, sugar beet, etc.

The alcohol may be applied to the soil in any of a variety of ways such as by applying the compound in the pure form, in a water solution or with a carrier such as clay, limestone, carbon and the like as optional ingredients. Formulation adjuvants as is customarily employed in the pesticide art may also be employed in the present invention such as surfactants, disper sants, sticking agents, sequestering agents and the like. The alcohol or its solution can be applied to the surface of the soil by spraying, thereby allowing it to penetrate the soil or can be mixed with irrigation water that is being used for watering plants.

Normally the alcohol is used as a solution with water, preferably distilled water, although water commonly used to water plants can be used.

It has also been determined that a solution can be treated with soil in which plants have grown or with plants, i.e., plants or soil are placed in the aqueous solution and preferably removed before the solution is used. The solution is ready for use when the alcohol is no longer detectable. This process normally takes between 7-23 days. Plants that may be used to treat the aqueous alcoholic solution are the dicotylodoneae or monocotylodoneae as described in the World of Plant Life" (1945) by C. J. l-Iylander. Some of the monocotylodoneae that may be used are grasses, lilies, irises and the like. Among the dicots that may be used are of the nightshade family, the pea family, the carrot family, the pink family and the like. To-

mato plants are particularly suitable. when the alcohol is no longer detectable in the solution, it is termed the "alcoholic culture." This solution could then be evaporated to dryness. The resulting material may subsequently be added to water to make an aqueous solution and the latter solution is used to treat the plant environment. The latter solution has been termed "alcoholic culture concentrate." The dry solid material resulting from evaporation may be directly applied to plant environment, with or without additional fertilizer. The dry solids may be applied to the plant environment at a rate of about 5 to about 500 pounds/acre of soil, preferably about to about 400 pounds/acre and even more preferably, about 20 to about 100 pounds/acre.

As can be seen, there are a number of alternative ways of applying alcoholic solutions, alcoholic cultures, alcoholic culture concentrates (dry or reconstituted), with or without fertilizers.

Various grades of alcohol can be used such as pure alcohol or denatured alcohol which may contain various amounts of denaturants such as benzene, pyridene and other denaturing agents. A preferred alcohol is ethyl alcohol, i.e., pure ethyl alcohol, 99.5 percent about I90 proof. A preferred denatured alcohol is one known as 28 ethyl alcohol which contains onehalf gallon of benzene per 100 gallons of 190 proof ethyl alcohol. It is, of course, appreciated that other forms of lower aliphatic alcohol or its solutions can be used without departing from the scope of the invention.

In those instances where a fertilizer solution was used together with the alcohol or its solution, the fertilizer used may be those that are commonly available. These fertilizers may be totally soluble plant foods such as Nutro, Rapid Grow or other commercially available plant foods. Generally these fertilizers are high analysis fertilizers, being comprised of 23 percent nitrogen, 17 percent phosphorus and 18 percent potash, the remainder of the fertilizer being comprised of minor amounts of material and a substantial amount of filler materials. Other fertilizers that may be employed comprise from about 5 to percent nitrogen, about 5 to about 25 percent phosphorus and about 5 to about 25 percent potash. All percentages are by weight. It is appreciated that other fertilizer solutions containing more or less than the above ingredients can be employed without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The following examples illustrate the preferred embodiments of the invention. Unless otherwise indicated, all parts and percentages used herein are by weight and all temperatures are in degrees centigrade. In hydroponic systems, twice a week a source of ferrous ions was used such as a 2 cc./liter solution of 0.002 M FeSO adjusted of a pH of 3.5 with sulfuric acid. Rates of application are described in pounds/acre, see "A Manual of Conversion Tables, Equivalents and Dosage Calculations compiled by H. T. Strev, Nov., I963.

EXAMPLE 1 Soil, as obtained from Grand Island, N.Y., close to the Hooker Research Laboratories, was sterilized by heating it in an oven at about l20 C. for a period of about 16 hours. Portions of the sterilized soil were placed in containers, the bottom of the containers containing small mats of glass wool in order that the soil would be retained on them. In each of three of these containers were placed 1,500 grams of the sterilized soil. To the soil in two of the containers, 1-2, there were added the amounts of 2B ethyl alcohol as illustrated in table I, and ISO milliliters of distilled water. To container 3, which was a control, I50 milliliters of distilled water only was added. The soil was permitted to stand for a period greater than 1 hour, then the soil in all three containers were mixed by emptying the contents of the containers on paper, admixing the contents with a spatula and returning the admixed contents to the respective containers.

Young tomato plants 3 inches tall were then added to containers l-3 in the greenhouse. The containers were observed about 1 month later and rated, the results being listed in table I. The rating scale used throughout spans from 0 to 10. A zero rating signifies that plant was dead, while a rating of IO signifies approximately percent plant growth in excess of a plant with a rating of 5 (control). The rating was based on the length of the stems, thickness of the stems, size of leaf structure, distances between the leaves, color, and similar characteristics of plants which are used in determining the health and vigor of the plants.

TABLE I Amount ofCJhOH Container Number added in grams Rating I L5 (L200 pounds/acre) 8 2 0.37 (300 pounds/acre) 7 3 0 5 EXAMPLE 2 A second group of tests were accomplished concurrent with the tests as effected in example I in order to determine the effect of fertilizer.

A stock solution was prepared by dissolving two large teaspoons of Nutro plant food crystals in one-half gallon of water. Portions of this solution, 100 milliliters, were applied to the same sterilized soil as used in example 1, together with 50 milliliters of distilled water, and different amounts of 2B ethyl alcohol, as illustrated in table II. Four containers were used, containers 4-7, container 7 being the control, each container containing about 1,500 grams of soil.

Young tomato plants 3 inches tall were then added to containers 4-7 in the greenhouse. The containers were observed about I month later and the plants contained therein were rated, the results being listed in table II.

TABLE II Amount ofC,H,OH

Container Number added in grams Rating 6 (4,800 pounds/acre L5 (L200 pounds/acre) 0.37 (300 pounds/acre) 0 EXAMPLE 3 In soilless cultures (hydroponic systems), the use of varying amounts of 28 ethanol were tested for growth stimulation of plants. The tests were accomplished in 250 milliliter beakers covered with a rubber dome to prevent evaporation, avoid contamination and the like. Beakers I, 2, 3 and 4 contained 200 milliliters of a fertilizer solution. Additionally, beakers 1, 2 and 3 contained amounts of ethanol, as reported in table lll. Beaker 4 was the control beaker and contained no ethanol. The fertilizer solution was prepared by dissolving one-quarter of a teaspoon of Nutro plant food crystals per one-half gallon of distilled water.

Young tomato plants about 3 inches tall were placed in the beakers, 1-4, at the same time. Aeration of the solutions was then accomplished by bubbling air through them, and periodic additions of a small amount of ferrous sulfate, less than 0.5 grams, were equally made to each beaker. The plants were rated about a month later. The results are reported in table I.

In a second series of tests, beakers 5-8 container 200 milliliters of a fertilizer solution prepared by dissolving threeeighths of a teaspoon of Nutro food crystals per gallon of water, and amounts of ethyl alcohol as reported in table Ill. Beaker 9 was a control beaker and contained no ethanol. Aeration of the solution, and addition of ferrous sulfate was accomplished as done above with beaker l-4.

A group of young tomato plants were placed in these beakers and removed a month later. A second groups of young tomato plants were placed in beakers 5-9 without changing the solutions. The plants were rated about 1 month later. The results are tabulated in table III.

TABLE III Beaker Number Amount of 2B Ethanol Rating 0.2 percent 0.1 percent 0.05 percent control 0.1 percent 0.2 percent 0.5 percent 1.0 percent 0 control Beaker: l-4. results based on firlt planting.

Beukers -9, renultn band on second planting.

In a similar manner cucumbers and beans are planted and rated with substantially the same results.

EXAMPLE 4 A solution comprised of grams of ethyl/alcohol per liter of water was prepared by dissolving the ethyl alcohol in water were placed in plastic pans, six containers per pan. The containers in each of the pans were exposed to a light source, consisting of two double Gro-Lux fluorescent lighting fixtures (40 watts each, 48 inches long), suspended inches above the tops of the containers. The lights were timed to operate for 14 hours per day.

The contents of the six containers in each pan were treated with equal amounts of the ethyl alcohol solution, except for the control which was not treated with ethyl alcohol. Thus, the contents of the containers in pan l, containers a, b, c, d, e, and f were not treated with the ethyl alcohol solution and the contents of the six containers in pan 2, a, b, c, d, e, and f were treated with l.25 milliliters of the ethyl alcohol solution. Similar treatments were effected to the contents of the containers in pans 3, 4, and 5 as illustrated in table lV below.

One tomato and one cucumber plant were planted in each of the four containers in each pan, while two containers in each pan were allowed to remain fallow. About 2 weeks later, 25 milliliters of 0.4 percent fertilizer was added to each container. One day after the fertilizer addition, the plants were removed from two containers in each pan. These plants were replaced by new tomato and cucumber plants, designated c and d in table IV. At this time, the two containers that had been allowed to remain fallow were planted with one tomato and one cucumber plant per container, e and f in table lV. About 1 month later, the plants were visually rated for growth characteristics, as accomplished in example I. The results are reported in table IV. 30.

'IAIHIE l\' A. First plnntlng nltur truntnnnit V ltntlng 'lomntm-s (ln-nmlu'rs Mlllllltcl's of solution l'ot Nmuln'r inlrll'tl Hoots 'lops ltoots 'lops In ttlltl 1n 0 l5 5 n r in mnl 2|) 1.26 (75 pornuls/m-rv). N 5 7 It 3n mul 3h 2.5 (160 pom| ls/ru-rr-).. is 5 h 7 hi nnd 4h I5 (300 |on|nls/n -rt-) 3 5 7 n on mul bl I0 (600 polnuls/iun'v) K 7 5 5 *llnsml on rntlng nvcrngc cl 2 contntnvls ln each instnncv.

rcsults.

I Second plantiliglomatocs only--bnmc amounts of solution as used in Section A Roots 'Iops Weightin Length in Weight. in Iicngth in lot Number grams Rating" inches grams Rating" inches 10 and ML 0. 58 5 4 t). 5. 5 5 8 It). 2c and id. 1.20 7 s s. 5!) a. 2 ti 7 11' "5 3c and 3d. 1. 47 K a ti H. Ii 7 n. 75 l 40 and 4d. 0. 8] 7 8. EU 5. 25 ti. 8 ti 8. 5!) I. 50 5c and 5d. t). 50 5 ti 5. 50 5, L 5 T o (J. Fallow thcn plantcd-Sumc amounts olsolution as uscrl in Section A 10 and ll 2e and 2t 30 and 3f 4c and 41'. 5e and 5f l. 03 5 5 7. 50 0.4 5 J 12. 5 1.84 ti El 12 14.3 7 11.5 If) 1. 2H 5 ti 7 l4. El ii 13 13. 5 1. 4'. (1 Ii. 50 7. 50 13.2 (I ll. 5 14 1.13 5 (i. 50 5 12.0 ti 12 IL! Based on an average ratim. ol 2 cuntnincrs in cnch instnncc.

In a similar manner cucutnbcrs, beans, and rudishcs are planted,

erated and various amounts of this solution were added to soil contained in a number of containers, as reported in table IV. Each container contained about 200 milliliters of soil. The soil itself was comprised of approximately equal quantities by volume of sterilized sandy loam, peat moss and vermiculite. Water, 25 milliliters, was added to each of the containers in order to moisten the soil.

Groups of six containers containing the above materials with substantially thc samc results.

been growing about 2 weeks. This treatment was identified as posttreatment.

TABLE 1' Weight of Grams of total Weight of tomato tomato Grams of total sugar llot Grains of fruit per plant. sugar beet beet plant, Number ethanol plant grams root grams 1 (l 12 47 .100 1, 950 .Z .23 65 118 1, 260 1, 200 3 7 15. =1 32 ()7 1, 5011 3, 100 4 (i8 (i3 112 1, 250 600 5 N we as an i, 100 2, 300 (i. l 135 32 7 1,050 .2, 050 7.. ll 6 35 500 1,400 X 23 48 8-1 810 .3, 200 El 45. 4 16 37 580 l, 520 GS 18 53 720 (100 HO 1!) 42 720 1, 500 135 .14 172 780 .2, 4511 1 Control.

In a similar manner cucumbers, beans, and radishcs are planted, and rated with substantially the same results.

EXAMPLE 6 An aqueous ethanol solution was prepared. Two tomato plants which were growing in a vermiculite soil and about 3-4 inches high were washed free of soil with distilled water. No soil was on the tomato roots. The plants were placed in the ethanol solution for 10 days at which time the solution was no longer milky" in appearance. The solution was continuously aerated. The plants were removed and the liquid used to treat soil as listed below. Soil, prepared similar to that described in example l, was placed in each pot. The solution was evenly applied concurrent with planting. All tests were carried out with nine replicates (three plants/pot and three pots). Blossoms were picked twice a week. None were permitted to develop into fruit. The results are listed in table V1. Amount of ethanol in each solution is described as lbs/acres applied to soil.

TABLE \'1 Rate of Rate of Average fertilizer ethanol No. of plant wt. applied applied blooms (percent of (lbs/acre) (lbs/acre) (control) control wt.)

(1 i v l l 100 16 (2) 161 1) v 300 .l (2) 164 5011 200 311 (16) 148 .000 100 as (18) 139 1,000 300 10 (10) 134 1 Fertilizercontained 10% nitrogen, 10% P105 and 10% I Number of blooms of control is in parenthesis. 3 Control is considered as a base of 100%.

As can be seen, the solution, in which no alcohol was detectable stimulated plant growth as well as increased the product of plant growth, i.e., the number of blooms. Note the improvement with and without fertilizer.

EXAMPLE 7 Aqueous solutions of 0.06 percent Nutro were prepared with varying amount of ethanol. Three tomato plants per beaker prepared according to example 6, were suspended in each solution. Air was bubbled through. After determining by gas chromatography that no ethanol was present, some of the solutions were evaporated to dryness. The solution wherein no ethanol is present is termed ethanol culture." The material resulting from the evaporation was then reconstructed to the original volume by adding water to the solids resulting from evaporation. This resulting solution is termed ethanol culture concentrate (ECC)." After 17 days of growth, the tomato growth results (average of five beakers) are listed below as a weight percent increase of control. Concentration of ethanol is expressed in terms of amount of ethanol in original solution prior to insertion of plants and prior to evaporation.

EXAMPLE 8 Soil near Grand Island, NY. was thoroughly mixed at the ratio of 3 parts to 1 part vermiculite. Nutro fertilizer was applied at the rate of 250 lbs/acre. Pots were prepared with the soil mixture. Five snap beans and 20 radish seeds were planted per pot, later thinned to two bean plants and five radish plants per pot. Aqueous growth stimulant solutions were prepared with varying amounts of growth stimulants as listed below. Ethanol culture solutions and ethanol culture concentrate solutions were also prepared according to the procedure of example 7. The beans were harvested after 54 days of growth.

For ethanol culture and culture concentrate, the growth period was 57 days. The results for radish growth are not reported because of apparent competition with beans. Radish growth was too variable.

i ass sack. .*-c Average Number weight Type and amount olgruwth of beans percent of stimulant (lbs/acre) harvested control ()nly fe|'lili7.e|'.. 71) 111i) Ethanol (5!) lhs./acre) 15 133 Ethanol (150 lbs/acre) 615 131 Ethanol (3(l0ll)s./acre).. 511 157 Methanol (5U lbs-Jacre) 5! 1111 Methanol (150 lbs/acre) 711 33-1 Methanol (300 lbs/acre) 101 153 lropanol (5()1l)s./acre) 7t: .251 40 lropanol (IISOIhs/acre) 75 1811 lropanol (300 lbS./acre), 77 281 Butanol lbs/acre) 271i llutanol (l50lbs./acrc). 72 178 Butanol (300lhs./aerc), 44 11!! Ethanol culture (50l1)s./acre) l 54 H5 Ethanol culture (l00lhs./acre) 47 Ethanol culture (200 lbs/acre) 61 'JlJ 45 Ethanol culture concentrate (50 lbs/acre) 46 134 Ethanol culture concentrate (100l1)s./acre) 5 1 6 Ethanol culture concentrate (200 lbs/acre) 3'. 11

1 The rate of application of ethanol culture and ethanolculture concentrate is based on the amount of ethanol originally present in aqueous solution. An external toxic chemical affected all ethanol culture and culture 50 concentrates in greenhouse but in particular the 100 lbs/acre EC and 50 lbs/acre and 200 lbs/acre ECG.

EXAMPLE 9 Three ethanol solutions were prepared. Solution 1 contained 0.06 percent of Nutro. Two tomato seedlings (3-4 inches high) prepared according to example 6, were placed in the solution for an innoculation period of about 24 days. These seedlings were replaced by one tomato seedling.

Solution 11 was prepared similar to solution 1 except the innoculation period was only 24 hours. The two seedlings were then removed and the beaker remained idle for the remaining 23 days. Then a tomato plant was inserted.

Solution 11] was prepared similar to solution 11 except 6 gms. of well cultivated topsoil was used in place of the tomato plants. After a 24 innoculation period the liquid was decanted. At the end of the 24 days, a tomato plant was inserted. All solutions were aerated for the 24 days. All solutions were brought to a 250 ml. level by addition of water thereto.

The results of a 17 day growing period are listed below. The results are an average of three replicates.

Solution Amount of Average \Vt.

Ethanol (wt.%) Increase of Plant l 0.5% 48% ll 0 l% ll 02% 26% ll 05% 50% ll] 0 35% Ill 0.2% 55% III 0.5% 63% same results in substantially the same or equivalent manner, it being intended to cover the invention broadly in whatever form its principles may be utilized.

What is claimed is:

l. A method for increasing the amount of fruit produced from plants, which comprises applying to the plant environment a fruit increasing amount of lower alkyl alcohol.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the alcohol is selected from the group consisting of methanol propanol, butanol and mixtures thereof. v

3. The method of claim 1 wherein about 50 to about 4,800 pounds per acre of alcohol per acre of soil is applied.

4. The method in accordance with claim 1 which comprises applying the alcohol in a aqueous solution.

5. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the alcohol is applied at a rate of to about 300 pounds per acre of soil.

6. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the environment is soil and the alcohol is applied thereto prior to planting.

7. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the plant environment is soil and the alcohol is applied thereto subsequent to planting.

"H050 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CEPL'EIFICATE @F CQREQTIQN Patent No. 3163O7l7 Dated December 28, l97l Inventor s George T. M1 l ler It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

T x F "7 Column 3, line 32, "Nutro, Rapid Grow" should read ---Nutro, Rapid Grow Column 5, line 16, "groups" should read ---group---. Column 6, line 3, "Giro-Lux should read --Gro-Lux Column 7, l ine 9, "0"

should read ---0(control line 10, "l200" should read ---2600---; line 13, "0" should read -0(c0.ntrol) line l3, "7" should read -67--; line 70, "reconstructed" shoul d read --reconst1'tuted---. Column 8, lines 6 66, 67 and 72, "innoculation" should read inoculation--. l v l Signed and sealed this 6th day of June 1972.,

(SEAL) Attest:

EDl'lARD FQFLETCERNR, ROBERT GOT SGHALK Attesting Officer- Commissioner of Patents 

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the alcohol is selected from the group consisting of methanol propanol, butanol and mixtures thereof.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein about 50 to about 4,800 pounds per acre of alcohol per acre of soil is applied.
 4. The method in accordance with claim 1 which comprises applying the alcohol in a aqueous solution.
 5. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the alcohol is applied at a rate of 100 to about 300 pounds per acre of soil.
 6. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the environment is soil and the alcohol is applied thereto prior to planting.
 7. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the plant environment is soil and the alcohol is applied thereto subsequent to planting.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein the alcohol employed is methanol. 